KYLE TREMBLEY

PRIDE STAFF WRITER

Competing at the NAIA National Championships at Fort Vancouver in Washington, Cougar men’s cross-country met expectations with a 12^th place finish.

Freshman Western Nelson led the way, finishing 7^th to earn All-American status.

Entering the event ranked #7 in the nation, Coach Steve Scott’s squad was looking to avenge last year’s disappointing showing.  In 2009, CSUSM came in to the event ranked 4^th, but finished 17^th at the meet.

This year’s squad, which didn’t return a single runner from last season, delivered a strong effort on that same course on Saturday.  The 32-team race was won by Southern Oregon with a score of 105 points.

CSUSM posted a team total of 356 points.  Combined with the women’s team’s victory at 88 points, Coach Steve Scott’s cross-country program finished third overall this year in the combined competition.

Despite being just a freshman, Western Nelson delivered a big-time performance for the Cougars.  Nelson ran 25:06 on the wet and muddy course, placing 7^th in the field of the NAIA’s best runners.

As expected, Brett Campfield came in second on the team.  He clocked in at 26:05, finishing 44^th in the field.

Armando Lara was next across for the Cougars, placing 87^th at 26:44.  One second later, Jonathan Alpizar finished in 89^th place at 26:45.  Eduardo Mariscal rounded out the team’s top-five at 27:19, good for 129^th place.

Also competing were Polo Mariscal (27:22; 134^th) and Josh Bollinger (28:41; 197^th).

Wayland Baptist’s Kennedy Kithuka won the individual race 24:02.